Our Advisory Board consists of leaders in the homeschooling and online services industry and have been selected to complement the experience of the management team.

Cheryl Carter
Cheryl R. Carter is Founder/ Director of "Organize Your Life," an organization that helps moms reach their maximum effectiveness and productivity. Carter is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Small Publishers of North America (SPAN) and a Clinical member of the National Association of Christian Counselors (NCCA). Carter is a former elementary school teacher and the author of five books on time management and organization. She has written Christian and secular curriculum, as well as parenting and family material. She is the primary homeschool teacher for the Carter children (ages 6, 9, 12) and considers mothering her finest achievement.

Derek Carter
Derek Carter is the President of Foundations for Family Success, which serves today's fast-paced families. He conducts practical workshops and seminars on marriage, parenting and families. He is a Clinical Member of the National Association of Christian Counselors.  Mr. Carter is employed by the Family Preservation Program in New York City. He is active in the Long Island, Greater New York Home School community. He is also a homeschooling dad and a Chapter Leader with the New York State support group (LEAH).

Mr. Carter received his degree in Urban Studies and a Masters of Science in Urban Policy and Administration.

Michael Drews, CPA
Mike has been a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accounting since 1995. He has an extensive background in Taxation, IRS Representation, Accounting and Business Management. He has held several Executive level positions in mid-sized technology companies, including most recently the position of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Alert Cellular/T-Mobile. Alert is the largest Verizon reseller west of the Rockies with 85 stores and $50 million in revenue.  Michael formed his own CPA firm in 2003.

Michael's academic credentials include an undergraduate degree in Economics from Simon Fraser University and continued studies in Computer Science at UCSB. Michael lives in Camarillo with his wife Amy and their children Amanda and Derek.

Tim Gallagher
Tim is the President of Gallagher 2020, a consulting firm focused on helping companies develop strategic approaches to managing their media relations and online marketing.  Prior to starting his consulting practice, he was Publisher and Editor of the Ventura County Star for 13 years.  During his tenure at the Star, he was instrumental in developing its Internet strategy and introducing one of the most successful online properties in the Scripps portfolio.

In addition, Mr. Gallagher was Editor of The Albuquerque Tribune for eight years. Tim received his degree from The University of New Mexico in Journalism & English. He lives in Somis, CA.

Andrew Pudewa
Andrew Pudewa is the director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and a homeschooling father of seven. Presenting throughout North America, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity and insight, practical experience and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students’ skills. 

Mr. Pudewa is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Japan and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development from The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Brian Ray, Ph.D.
Brian D. Ray, Ph.D. founded the National Home Educators Research Institute in 1990 as a 501(c)3 non-profit research organization, and is the president of the institute. He holds his Ph.D. in science education from Oregon State University, his M.S. in zoology from Ohio University, and his B.S. in biology from the University of Puget Sound. Dr. Ray has been a middle school and high school classroom teacher in both public and private schools, an undergraduate college professor, and a university professor at the graduate level. He is a leading international expert with regard to homeschool (home school, home education) research. Dr. Ray executes and publishes research, speaks to the public, testifies before legislators, and serves as an expert witness in courts.

Julie Walker
Julie Walker serves as the marketing director for the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  She and her husband of 25 years homeschooled their boys from kindergarten through high school. Previously, Julie worked for Biola University, establishing Biola Youth’s STAR and Torrey Academy programs for homeschooling teens.

Ms. Walker received her undergraduate degree Recreation Administration with a minor in Marketing from California State University, Long Beach. Now that she is no longer homeschooling, she is working to complete her Master’s degree in Business Administration at Biola University.